Classics

Directed by Orson Welles, Touch of Evil is a film noir masterpiece whose Hollywood backstory is as unforgettable as the movie itself. Starring Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh and Orson Welles, this dark portrait of corruption and morally compromised obsessions tells the story of a crooked police chief who frames a Mexican youth as part of an intricate criminal plot. Touch of Evil is "a stylistic masterpiece!" (Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide) that stands the test of time. Part of our Classic Tuesday series—introduced by Artistic Director, Dan Friedman.

Starring: Clara Bow, Antonio Moreno, Jacqueline Gadsden, Priscilla Bonner, William Austin. Presenting the first true Rom-Com film - 100 years later, still one of the finest ever made. Inspired by a story by Elinor Glyn who specialized in risqué fare, Clarence Badger’s “It” is a frothy romantic comedy transformed by the incandescent Clara Bow—who indeed had “it”. Bow’s shopgirl Betty Lou sets her sights on her handsome boss (Antonio Moreno), wooing him with her sheer animal magnetism. What could possibly go wrong? “Clara Bow is the quintessence of what the term ‘Flapper’ signifies as a definite description: pretty, impudent, superbly assured, as worldly-wise, briefly-clad and ‘hard-berled’ as possible.” —F. Scott Fitzgerald. New 4k It restoration premiered at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival. New score by The Mont Alto Orchestra. Screening to benefit the Bedford Playhouse gives you the rare opportunity to see a beautifully restored film on the Playhouse’s big screen. In 2001, It was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". A Q&A with film restorer and Playhouse Board member Robert Harris follows the film.

Hong Kong, 1962: Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung Man-yuk) move into neighboring apartments on the same day. Their encounters are formal and polite—until a discovery about their spouses creates an intimate bond between them. At once delicately mannered and visually extravagant, Wong Kar-Wai’s In the Mood for Love is a masterful evocation of romantic longing and fleeting moments. With its aching musical soundtrack and exquisitely abstract cinematography by Christopher Doyle and Mark Lee Ping-bin, this film has been a major stylistic influence on the past 25 years of cinema. Includes the bonus short "In the Mood for Love 2001" after the film. Part of our Cult Classic series—introduced by Programming Associate, Eliana Choi.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary! Assisted by a Fellowship of heroes, Frodo Baggins plunges into a perilous trek to take the mystical One Ring to Mount Doom so that it and its magical powers can be destroyed and never possessed by evil Lord Sauron. The astonishing journey begins in the first film of director/cowriter Peter Jackson's epic trilogy that redefined fantasy filmmaking. This imaginative foray into J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth won 4 Academy Awards and earned 13 total nominations, including Best Picture.

Nathanael West's novel about Hollywood decadence in the late '30s is a brilliant piece of filmmaking. A deeply insightful work that is powerful in its presentation, staggering in its vision. Director John Schlesinger is masterful in creating a world of platinum blondes, cockfights, glamour and broken dreams. And throughout, he plays on the edge of sexual and physical danger which finally erupts in the shocking climax. Oscar nominations went to Burgess Meredith and cinematographer Conrad Hall. Part of our Classic Tuesday series—introduced by Artistic Director, Dan Friedman.

In Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s beloved romantic comedy, Amélie, a shy Parisian waitress finds purpose in secretly improving the lives of those around her. But when she becomes intrigued by the mysterious Nino, Amélie must decide whether she’s ready to take a chance on her own happiness. Presented in French with English subtitles. Part of our Cult Classic series, introduced by Programming Associate Eliana Choi.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary! Teen sensations Molly Ringwald (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club) and Andrew McCarthy (St. Elmo’s Fire) drew rave reviews for their starring performances in this hit love story produced and written by John Hughes (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Planes, Trains and Automobiles). Andie is a high school girl from the other side of town. Blane’s the wealthy heartthrob who asks her to prom. But as fast as their romance builds, it’s threatened by the painful reality of peer pressure. From its bittersweet story to its hip New Wave soundtrack, the film features great supporting performances from Harry Dean Stanton, Jon Cryer, James Spader and Annie Potts.

The critics and public agree. Brian De Palma's The Untouchables is a must-see masterpiece - glorious, fierce, larger-than-life depiction of the mob warlord who ruled Prohibition-era Chicago... and the law enforcer who vowed to bring him down. This classic confrontation between good and evil and stars Kevin Costner as federal agent Eliot Ness, Robert De Niro as gangland kingpin Al Capone and Sean Connery as Malone, the cop who teaches Ness how to beat the mob: shoot fast and shoot first. Part of our Classic Tuesday series, introduced by Artistic Director, Dan Friedman.

Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) doesn't expect much when she moves to the small town of Forks, Washington, until she meets the mysterious and handsome Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) - a boy who's hiding a dark secret: he's a vampire. As their worlds and hearts collide, Edward must battle the bloodlust raging inside him as well as a coterie of undead that would make Bella their prey. Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling sensation by Stephanie Meyer, Twilight adds a dangerous twist to the classic story of star-crossed lovers.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary! "Casino Royale" marks Daniel Craig's first appearance as the legendary James Bond at the start of his career, having just earned 00 status and his licence to kill. His target: the ruthless terrorist financier known as Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen). From the jungles of Madagascar to the beaches of the Bahamas, Bond's pursuit of Le Chiffre leads to a showdown in a high-stakes poker game at the luxurious Casino Royale in Montenego, and to a jaw-dropping finale on the Grand Canal in Venice.

Beautifully shot by James Wong Howe and tightly scripted by Bertolt Brecht and Fritz Lang, this Noir-like espionage thriller is set in occupied Czechoslovakia and revolves around the successful plot by the Czech resistance to assassinate Deputy Reich-Protector of Bohemia and Moravia “Hangman” Reinhard Heydrich, and the hunt by the Gestapo to track down the killers. Part of our Classic Tuesday series, introduced by Artistic Director, Dan Friedman.

A Q&A with Amy Irving follows the film, celebrating its 50th anniversary! Based on the best-selling Stephen King novel, this "absolutely spellbinding horror movie" (Roger Ebert) stars Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie in Oscar-nominated performances. This ultimate revenge fantasy has become one of the all-time great horror classics! At the center of the terror is Carrie (Spacek), a high school loner with no confidence, no friends ... and no idea about the extent of her secret powers of telekinesis. But when her psychotic mother and sadistic classmates finally go too far, the once-shy teen becomes an unrestrained, vengeance-seeking powerhouse who, with the help of her "special gift," causes all hell to break loose in a famed cinematic frenzy of blood, fire and brimstone! This classic also stars John Travolta, Amy Irving, William Katt and P.J. Soles. 

Celebrating its 25th anniversary! The 14th century takes a rocking new twist in A KNIGHT'S TALE - a stylish, exciting, action-packed adventure starring Heath Ledger from acclaimed director Brian Helgeland. Featuring heroic performances from Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell and Alan Tudyk. Heath Ledger stars as William Thatcher, a peasant squire who breaks all the rules when he passes himself off as a nobleman and takes the jousting world by storm. The only thing standing between William and his dream of becoming the World Champion is bad boy Count Adhemar. When the two rivals go lance to lance at the world finals to determine who will be named the ultimate champion, you'd better hang on tight for the ride of your life!

After a failed climate experiment triggers a global Ice Age, the last survivors of humanity live aboard the Snowpiercer, a train endlessly circling the globe. As a rigid class system divides its passengers, a rebellion begins in the train’s tail section, setting off a thrilling journey toward the powerful figure who controls it all. Directed by Bong Joon Ho and starring Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Octavia Spencer, and Ed Harris, this visionary sci-fi thriller has become a modern cult classic. Part of our Cult Classic series, introduced by Programming Associate Eliana Choi.

Join acclaimed film historian and author Robert Hofler for a special author talk on his new book, A Star Is Reborn: The Most Filmed Hollywood Story of Love Found and Lost. Discover the fascinating history, real-life inspirations, and behind-the-scenes stories behind A Star Is Born and its iconic remakes spanning nearly a century of Hollywood. Following the discussion, celebrate the film's enduring legacy with a special 50th anniversary screening of the 1976 A Star Is Born, starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

Inventor Preston Tucker (Jeff Bridges) comes under attack from the big auto manufacturers and the US government while developing a futuristic car for the masses. Part of our Classic Tuesday series, introduced by Artistic Director, Dan Friedman.